Spam Scam - How To Recognise One When Faced With It

Spam scam is the term for unsolicited emails. Sometimes people can use a spam scam to get personal information from the recipient of the emails. Sending spam scam emails is a very common way to defraud other people out of their personal information.

One way that spam scammers con unsuspecting victims into giving out there personal information is through a technique called phishing.

Phishing is an attempt by the spam scammer to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information. The types of information that scammers look for when phishing is usernames, passwords, banking information and credit card details.

Scammers use spam scam emails to falsely portray trustworthy sites in which the recipient of the email is familiar. Common targets for this type of spam scam are online banking sites, and other merchant sites like eBay and Paypal. With phishing scam emails, the recipient is usually directed to an outside website by a link within the email.

The website is something that the scammer creates and can be a replica of the official sites. When the user enters the scammer’s website, they often think they are on a secure site from their banking institution or credit card company (Paypal, etc.).

If the user believes they are on the genuine website, they will them be prompted to login to their account on the site, or sign up for something using there personal information. Although there are measures taken to alert users of these spam scams, phishing is still very prevalent.

Phishing is a spam scam that can cause a variety of serious damages. Damages caused by phishing can range from others hacking into email and other personal accounts to substantial financial loss. Phishing is a common scam that is often linked to identity theft.

Phishing emails and websites can be so realistic looking that any unsuspecting person will easily divulge their personal details. The types of personal information phishing scammers use for identity theft are credit card numbers, social security number and contact details. In addition spam scammers can learn more information on potential targets by accessing public records.

Once the phishing scam is completed and the scammer has acquired a victim’s personal information, the scammer can then create fraudulent accounts in the victim’s name. Depending on the type of information that is acquired, the spam scam can open up credit card accounts, apply for loans or use the victim’s credit card to purchase items on the internet. Identity theft by phishing can result in ruining the victim’s credit or even denying the victim access to his or her own online accounts.

Another type of spam scam is the use of email spoofing. Email spoofing is the act of a person altering the email message to make it appear as though the email originated from a different source.

Scammers can use email spoofing to alter the email header, which contains the sender’s details. Email spoofing is commonly used in phishing and in sending unsolicited spam scam emails.

Scammers use email spoofing to make the email appear as though it has come from a different source than the sender. Email spoofing can be used in conjunction with web site spoofing to complete phishing scams.

Email spammers can also use email spoofing as a means to carry out a form of Advance Fee Fraud. Advance Fee Fraud (employment scam) is a fraudulent activity in which the scammer will send out spoof emails that contain company addresses and other information.

The scammer will use the fake company to create recruitment emails. Unsuspecting victims will then be drawn into websites in which they are asked to enter personal information in order to apply for employment.

A different type of email spoofing is carried out by hackers who gain access to a victim’s email account. The hacker can then hijack the victim’s email account and send fake emails to the victim’s contacts. Scammers like to use other’s email accounts and spoof email addresses as a means to trick the recipient into believing the email comes from a familiar person. The spam scam will email associates, friends and family members of the email account owner in an attempt to defraud them.

Tips to help you avoid spam scams:

Be very cautious at all times. When you receive emails, never supply information like your usernames and account numbers. Many secure websites can combat the problem of phishing and email spoofing by not asking for these types of details.
Never access your personal accounts through an email. To protect yourself from phishing spam scams, close your browser and go to the website as you normally would.
If you receive an email that sounds suspicious, or refers to your accounts, call the customer service number listed on the company’s website. Make sure that you do not use the contact information provided in the email because they may have been falsely created by the scammer.

Spam scams are very prevalent and are constantly getting more sophisticated. Most companies like online banking sites have security features that combat this problem, but these spam scams are still evolving. In addition, many web browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox will warn you of attempts at phishing.

If you think you are being targeted by a spam scam, report any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.org) or to your email service provider.


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